Dartmouth College

What you'll study

The programme is founded on a liberal arts curriculum that mixes discipline-specific study with interdisciplinary enquiry. Core components typically include modules in literature and literary analysis, intellectual history, philosophy and ethics, world and regional histories, modern and classical languages, cultural studies, and introductory theory across the humanities. Students can choose electives in areas such as digital humanities, performance studies, film and media, gender and sexuality studies, museum and curatorial practice, and translation studies.

Programme structure commonly allows for:

• Foundational seminars that develop skills in close reading, critical writing and argumentation;
• Intermediate and advanced courses in one or more concentrations (for example, English, History, Philosophy, or a modern language), enabling both breadth and depth;
• Capstone experiences such as a senior thesis, research project or practicum that synthesise learning and foster independent scholarship;
• Options for experiential learning: faculty-supervised research, internships, theatre and performance projects, or study away/study abroad placements;
• Opportunities to combine humanities study with complementary coursework in the social sciences, arts, or quantitative methods where appropriate.

Entry requirements

Admission to Dartmouth’s undergraduate programmes is competitive and based on a holistic assessment of academic record and extracurricular engagement. Typical applicants present a strong secondary-school transcript with evidence of rigorous course-taking in humanities and related areas, incisive written work, and recommendations from teachers who can speak to intellectual promise.

• Successful candidates usually demonstrate strong critical reading and writing skills and a sustained interest in the humanities.
• Admissions materials commonly include a personal statement or essays, school reports/teacher recommendations, and academic transcripts.
• Applicants who have taken advanced or pre-university courses (where available) in literature, history, languages or philosophy are well prepared for the curriculum.
• Prospective transfer students should present college-level work that shows capacity for independent research and high academic achievement.

Career prospects

Graduates with a liberal arts and humanities background pursue wide-ranging careers because the programme prioritises critical thinking, clear communication, and adaptability. Common professional pathways include education, publishing and journalism, public policy and government service, cultural institutions and museums, non-profit leadership, and law.

Alumni also move into roles in consulting, marketing and communications, human-centred design, technology (including roles that value strong writing and analytic abilities), and graduate study in fields such as history, literature, philosophy, public affairs, or law. The programme’s emphasis on research and independent projects is particularly useful for students planning postgraduate academic work.

Why study at Dartmouth College

Dartmouth offers a liberal arts experience within an Ivy League environment that emphasises close faculty-student collaboration, small seminar-style classes, and access to extensive resources for research and creative work. The college’s quarter-based calendar provides flexibility for internships, research terms, or study away programmes, enabling students to combine classroom study with practical experience.

Students benefit from a strong advising culture, opportunities for undergraduate research across humanities departments, and a rich co-curricular scene—including theatrical and literary organisations, public lectures, and cultural centres—that complements classroom learning. The campus setting and institutional commitment to the liberal arts create an environment where interdisciplinary exploration and close mentorship are central to the undergraduate experience.